Risk and compliance Manager

Job description

Join a prestigious Legal 500 firm as they strategically expand their central Risk & Compliance division. This is a high-impact, senior-level appointment designed for a legal professional who thrives on navigating complexity and acting as a trusted advisor to firm leadership. You will serve as the primary escalation point for high-stakes risk matters, bridging the gap between technical regulatory requirements and the firm’s strategic objectives. In this highly visible role, you will collaborate directly with partners and governance committees to steer the firm’s compliance culture and manage sophisticated risk profiles in a fast-evolving legal landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex and high-risk issues across the firm

• Advise partners and staff on risk and compliance matters, including professional standards, ethics, regulatory requirements, corporate AML structures, data protection, conflicts, and new business risk

• Lead and advise on complex AML and financial crime risk issues, including corporate and group structures

• Provide expert guidance on data protection and information governance matters

• Support senior risk leadership in embedding a strong, firm-wide culture of compliance and risk awareness

• Lead risk and compliance projects and advise on the risk implications of new initiatives, clients, and matters

• Produce and analyse risk and compliance data to identify trends, emerging risks, and areas for improvement

• Draft and update core firm documentation, policies, and guidance

• Design and deliver risk, AML, and compliance training to partners and practice groups

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments impacting legal practice

• Prepare papers and briefings for governance committees

• Coach and mentor junior members of the risk and compliance team

Required Skills & Experience

• Significant experience within a law firm risk & compliance function or equivalent legal environment

• Strong corporate legal background, with experience advising on complex corporate AML structures

• Excellent working knowledge of AML, data protection, and regulatory risk within legal practice

• Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory framework governing UK law firms

• Confident advising and challenging senior stakeholders and partners

• Excellent communication, drafting, and analytical skills

• Qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate (desirable)

• Legal, compliance, or AML qualifications (desirable)

• Experience managing or mentoring others (desirable)

Benefits and Professional Environment

We offer a sophisticated working environment in Bristol with a salary up to £80,000, complemented by a dual bonus structure covering both personal and firm-wide performance. We prioritize a sustainable work-life balance through a hybrid model allowing 2–3 days of remote work per week. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 25+ days of holiday with a Christmas closure, life assurance, and enhanced leave policies. For the right senior candidate, this role provides a clear, documented pathway for career development within one of the UK’s most established legal institutions.